Eels v Panthers NRL Rd 4 tips, odds & value bets – March 23, 2023

Round four of the 2023 NRL Premiership kicks off with the long-awaited grand final rematch between the Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels at CommBank Stadium.

Fresh off a bye, the Panthers will be looking to build on their win over the Rabbitohs a fortnight ago. Meanwhile, for the second week in a row, the Eels facing a club returning from the bye as they chase their first win of the season.

The Eels forward pack has been boosted by the return of Ryan Matterson, who opted to sit on the sideline instead of paying a fine for a charge from the judiciary, while Panthers bench forward Scott Sorenson returns from a concussion suffered against the Rabbitohs.

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The Eels have had opportunities to win all of their games this year, but they have failed to take advantage in any of them. So far this season the Dragons and Sea Eagles have had byes followed immediately by wins. The Panthers should be more than capable of continuing that trend, and the 1-12 margin looks a good play at $2.95 with BetOnline.

Sunia Turuva had an incredible game in the Panthers’ win over the Rabbitohs in round three when he ran for 198m including two tackles breaks. Having had a bye, the Panthers will have had the opportunity to work more on the left-edge attack that has been so dominant for them over the last three years. This should greatly concern Bailey Simonsson, who has shown defensive issues early in the season. Look for Turuva to score a try at any time during the match ($2.02).

The last time these two sides mat at CommBank Stadium was in round 20 last year, when Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary was sent off in the first 20 minutes. History should not repeat itself here with Cleary surely looking to bring his club back into the top four and show the NRL the Panthers can win their third premiership in a row. Look for a dominant Panthers performance as they complete the half-time/full-time double ($1.73) in a low-scoring game.

Key matchup: Ryan Matterson v Luke Garner

The clash between these two back-rowers will not be at the top of everyone’s list, given the battle of the halfbacks. However, the matchup of Ryan Matterson and Luke Garner will have an enormous impact on the game. Matterson has spent plenty of time on the sidelines watching his club get beaten as media scrutiny swirls around his decision not to pay his judiciary fine. The injury to Matt Doorey has forced Matterson into the starting second-row spot on the left edge with Dylan Brown, which could prove to be a deadly combination. Garner has only missed five tackles this season and will need to have a big game against the Eels if the Panthers are to secure a win on the road.

Eels v Panthers NRL Rd 4 match prediction

Eels v Panthers NRL Rd 4 same game multi

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